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CENTRAL OKANAGAN COMMUNITY
AND SCHOOL DISTRICT 23 LITERACY PLAN
PROGRESS REPORT
Submitted by:
Laura Smith
Literacy Outreach Coordinator
June 2015
School District No. 23 Decoda Literacy Ministry of Education
(Central Okanagan) Solutions
2
CENTRAL OKANAGAN
PARTNERS FOR LITERACY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................... 4
PART 2 - CENTRAL OKANAGAN PARTNERS FOR LITERACY – TASK GROUP .................................. 5
PART 3 - COMMUNITY CONTEXT .............................................................................................................. 5
PART 4 - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LITERACY COLLABORATION ....................................... 7 June 2014 – July 2014 ................................................................................................ 7
August 2014 – September 2014 ................................................................................. 7
October 2014 – November 2014 ................................................................................. 7
December 2014 – January 2015 ................................................................................. 8
February 2015 – March 2015 ...................................................................................... 8
April 2015 – May 2015 ................................................................................................ 8
PART 5 - GOALS AND ACTIONS (2014/2015) ........................................................................................... 9
PART 6 - CENTRAL OKANAGAN DISTRICT LITERACY PLAN (2009-2015) – IN PROGRESS ........... 10
PART 7 - SUCCESSES .............................................................................................................................. 15
PART 8 - CHALLENGES ............................................................................................................................ 17
PART 9 - MOVING FORWARD (2015/2016) .............................................................................................. 18
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
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PART 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
It has been a busy year for the Central Okanagan Partners for Literacy (COPFL). After
spending last year revising our District Literacy Plan, the committee decided to change our
focus from strictly being an advisory board to one that organizes specific projects that address
the goals in our District Literacy Plan. In order to support this shift, networking has continued to
be a focal point this year. Being that the Central Okanagan is a large community, growing our
literacy network helps the committee to have a better idea of the literacy services offered in the
region and increases enthusiasm amongst the group on how to collaborate with each other.
The shift has been a success! We have continued to have new members join the committee
and long-term members have become more involved in initiating and helping to organize
events. Through the collaboration and effort of the Partners for Literacy members we were able
to plan three events this year: Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week, a Literacy Audit and a
Plain Language workshop.
In my role as the LOC for the Central Okanagan I continue to be encouraged by the enthusiasm
and willingness of so many different sectors of our community to be involved with literacy work.
On a personal note, I recently received noticed that the adoption process my husband and I
have been waiting on is moving forward and we will soon be welcoming home twin boys.
Consequently, I will be starting a parental leave shortly. I will miss being involved with the
literacy work in the Central Okanagan over the next year. Thank you to everyone that has
supported me in this role over the last two years. I have enjoyed working with all of you. You
have helped to expand my literacy knowledge and taught me why this work is so important. I
trust that the committee and the new LOC will continue this valuable work. I look forward to
seeing what you accomplish over the next year!
Thank you.
Laura Smith
Literacy Outreach Coordinator
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
June 2015
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PART 2 - CENTRAL OKANAGAN PARTNERS FOR LITERACY – TASK GROUP
The Central Okanagan Partners for Literacy committee has been pleased to welcome several
new members to our group over the past year. Our committee meets four times each year and
works hard to implement our District Literacy Plan. The committee members who participated in
the 2014 -2015 Partners for Literacy committee meetings, or who received regular committee
updates through the meeting minutes, include representatives from the following agencies:
Kelowna Child Care Society
Metro UP Financial Asset & Literacy Foundation
Okanagan Boys and Girls Club
Okanagan Regional Library
Okanagan College
Peter’s – Your Independent Grocer Store
Project Literacy Kelowna Society
Regional District of West Kelowna
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan)
Seniors Outreach & Resource Centre
Society for Learning in Retirement
Success By 6
The Bridge Youth & Family Services
University of British Columbia – Okanagan
Westbank First Nation
PART 3 - COMMUNITY CONTEXT
The Central Okanagan is a diverse area situated beside the scenic Okanagan Lake, surrounded
by mountains, and covered with a landscape of vineyards and orchards. The region
encompasses nearly 3000 square kilometres1 and extends from Lake Country in the north,
through the city of Kelowna and West Kelowna (on the opposite side of Okanagan Lake), to
Peachland in the South.
The region is home to 184 744 people2 with the Central Okanagan experiencing a 10.8%3
growth in population from 2006 to 2011. In particular we see an increase in immigrant families
settling in the region with 6%4 of the population identifying themselves as a visible minority.
Growth also comes from interprovincial and intraprovincial (within BC) migration. The median
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
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age of the population is 445 and rising, with 19.3%6 of the Central Okanagan population being 65
years of age and older. The median after-tax family income is $53, 7447 which is lower than the
provincial median and partly due to the fact that a high percentage of the population is retired
and doesn’t have an income. In 2012, the Central Okanagan had an unemployment rate of
6.8%8, which is slightly above the provincial rate of 6.7%9. The top three industries that account
for employment in the region are the trades, healthcare and social assistance, and
construction10.
There are many factors that attract people to the Central Okanagan. First, the region boasts
one of the most comfortable climates in Canada. The summers are hot and dry, while the
winters are below freezing, but quite mild. As well, there is a diverse economy in the region
ranging from agriculture, forestry, mining, technology, and tourism, providing job opportunities in
many different sectors. The Central Okanagan also offers opportunities for post-secondary
training through Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Having
these post-secondary institutions allow for local students to remain in the area after high school
and also attract many students from regions around the globe. Lastly, the Central Okanagan
offers numerous wineries and diverse outdoor recreation activities, including golf, water sports,
hiking, hunting, fishing and skiing. This wide range of activities draws many new residents and
thousands of tourists to the region each year.
References:
1. Central Okanagan Foundation Vital Signs 2013.
www.vitalsignscanada.ca/files/localreports/2013_CentralOK_report.pdf
2. Statistics Canada, 2012. Central Okanagan, British Columbia. Census Profile. 2011 Census. Statistics
Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census_recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E
3. Statistics Canada, 2012. Central Okanagan, British Columbia. Census Profile. 2011 Census. Statistics
Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census_recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E
4. http://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/files/localreports/2013_CentralOk_report.pdf
5. Statistics Canada, 2012. Central Okanagan, British Columbia. Census Profile. 2011 Census. Statistics
Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census_recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E
6. Central Okanagan Foundation Vital Signs 2013.
www.vitalsignscanada.ca/files/localreports/2013_CentralOK_report.pdf
7. Statistics Canada 2013. Central Okanagan, RD, British Columbia. National Household Survey Profile.
2011
8. National Household Survey. Statistics Canada Catalogue. Ottawa. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-
enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E
9. http://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/files/localreports/2013_CentralOk_report.pdf
10. http://www.vitalsignscanada.ca/files/localreports/2013_CentralOk_report.pdf
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PART 4 - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LITERACY COLLABORATION
June 2014 – July 2014
COPFL Meeting: June 16, 2014 - welcomed Vera Ito
Attended regional LOC meeting in Salmon Arm
Preliminary planning with partners for Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week
Preliminary planning for Literacy Audits / Spelling Bee with Project Literacy
Participated in Decoda’s webinar “Fee for Service”
Participated in Decoda’s webinar “Hosting Successful Fundraising Events”
District Literacy Plan for 2013-2014 presented to School District No. 23 & COPFL
Submitted District Literacy Plan to Decoda and Ministry
Submitted On-line Report to Decoda
Submitted Financial Report to Decoda
LOC on leave from July 21st – 31st
August 2014 – September 2014
LOC on leave from August 1st – 31st
COPFL Meeting: September 17, 2014 - welcomed Meghan Derkach & Elena Doebele
Attended Cultural Resiliency training
Attended Interagency Meeting in Lake Country
Attended Youth Mental Health workshop
Preliminary Planning for Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week
Preliminary Planning for book sale
Published COPFL website
October 2014 – November 2014
Submitted Select Standing Committee letter
Attended CATCH Network gathering & National Child luncheon
Attended the Social Innovation workshop
Attended the United Way “Seeing Is Believing” bus tour
Attended Decoda regional training
Attended One-to-One training
Attended Lake Country Interagency meeting
Organized book sale with Extra Foods
Planning for Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week
COPFL Meeting: November 26, 2014 - welcomed Michael Wendland
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December 2014 – January 2015
Attended Parent Conference planning meeting
Attended Collaborative Dialogue session with school district
Edited COPFL website –adding “Event” section
Connected with KCR to have COPFL added to database
Finalized book sale details
Finalized Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week details
Promoted Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week around Central Okanagan
Hosted Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week (January 25 – 31, 2015)
February 2015 – March 2015
Hosted Unplug & Play Week wrap-up lunch
Started plans for Literacy Audit & Plain Language workshop
Attended CATCH Network gathering
Attended Lake Country Interagency meeting
Attended collaboration meeting with SD 23
Attended “The Art of Creating Opportunity” workshop
Connected with Project Literacy to have COPFL link added to website
Updated literacy contacts on BC government site
Book sale money presented to SD 23
COPFL Meeting: March 4, 2015 - welcomed Peter Boyd & Rhonda Ovelson
April 2015 – May 2015
Finalized details for Plain Language workshop
Prepared for Literacy Audit (scheduled for June 4, 2015)
Started planning for Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week 2016
Sent “Letter of Interest to Participate in Unplug & Play Week” to community
Attended Parenting Conference planning meeting
Promoted Plain Language workshop
Updated job description for LOC position
Updated Terms of Reference for COPFL
Cancelled Plain Language workshop due to low registration
Requested replacement representative for COPFL group from leaving members
Prepared the updated District Literacy Plan for COPFL approval
Prepared the 2014 / 2015 District Literacy Plan Progress Report
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
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PART 5 - GOALS AND ACTIONS (2014/2015)
Throughout this past year the Central Okanagan Partners for Literacy continued to promote
literacy awareness, provide services to the community, and solve the ongoing challenge of
sustainability through actions such as in-kind contributions of space, staff resources, and
administration support. The committee collaborated and worked hard to plan three events this
year: Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week, a Literacy Audit and a Plain Language workshop.
The Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week expanded upon the previous one-day Family
Literacy Day celebration. The goal was to raise awareness about digital literacy while
promoting screen-free family fun activities. Events were held in every community from Lake
Country to Peachland from January 25 – 31, 2015. The book sale sponsored by Extra Foods
raised $1000 to help support literacy in school district 23 and was a highlight of the week. The
Unplug & Play initiative was a great success with close to 2500 children and parents attending
the events and over fifty community organizations, local government and businesses supporting
the week. There was definite interest from the community to see the event again and plans for
the 2016 Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week are already underway.
The literacy audit was the first audit conducted in the Central Okanagan and was well-received
by the staff at Kelowna Childcare Society. It gave valuable insight into how important it is for
organizations to be aware of the literacy issues in our community and to adjust services offered
in order to support clients that struggle with low literacy. I would like to see more audits offered
to organizations and businesses in the future.
Unfortunately our initiative to host a Plain Language workshop was a challenge. Debbie Schiller
was booked to facilitate the workshop on May 26, 2015 and KPMG had kindly offered in-kind
space. Promotion for the event began in early April, but unfortunately the event had to be
cancelled due to low registration. The committee feels that there is still value in offering this
workshop again and spent time discussing how to approach it differently in the future. It was
decided that October and January might be better times to offer the workshop and perhaps a
specific organization such as Interior Health should be approached as the target audience.
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PART 6 - CENTRAL OKANAGAN DISTRICT LITERACY PLAN (2009-2015) – IN PROGRESS
FOCUS
AREA
OBJECTIVES GENERAL
ACTIVITIES
SPECIFIC
ACTIVITIES
OUTPUTS CURRENT STATUS
1. Enhance Community
Connections
Completed Activities
Ongoing Activities
CENTRAL
OKANAGAN
Enhance literacy
ownership by key
community
groups
Establish a more
coordinated
system for
supporting
literacy programs
and services
Increase public
awareness about
the value of
integrating
literacy supports
1.a. Facilitate
information exchange
among service
providers and
community
1.a.i. Provide networking
opportunities in each
community
Develop new
partnerships
Strengthen existing
partnerships
Increase number of
referrals
PALS Training Quarterly meetings with COPFL Community Forum (Fall 2013) Literacy Surveys (2013)
1.a.ii. Support
partnerships organizing
common training by
providing information
COPFL website (Fall 2014 -updated as needed)
Quarterly meetings with COPFL COPFL e-mail distribution list
1.b. Initiate new
collaborative
relationships with
senior centres
1.b.i. Meet with senior
groups
1.b.ii. Recruit a
representative from
senior’s sector for
COPFL committee
New partnerships
Access to space
New community
representation from
senior’s sector on
task force
Community Presentations Recruit volunteers New community representative on
COPFL committee
1.c. Engage the
business community
and employers for
skills upgrading needs
1.c.i. Preliminary
discussion with business
community on their
awareness and needs
Number of contacts
made
New business
community
representation on
task force
Number of Literacy
Audits Conducted
Increase in use of
plain language
Marketing materials developed with Touchpoint Marketing
Writing workshop attended by LOC Community Presentations Promote Literacy Audits with the
Business Community Plain Language workshop offered
for Central Okanagan (May 2015) Literacy Audit with Kelowna Child
Care Society (June 2015) New community representative on
COPFL committee
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
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2. Increase Literacy
Awareness
CENTRAL
OKANAGAN
Educate public
about the
definition of
literacy
Educate public
about the value
of life-long
learning
Reduce the
stigma
surrounding
literacy
Increase value
placed on literacy
and literacy
supports
Increase public
awareness about
available literacy
programs and
service
2.a. Develop user-
friendly literacy
information for families
and service providers
in each community
2.a.i. Develop and
maintain a local literacy
website (utilize local
information from Literacy
BC Resource Guide)
Increase
numbers
accessing
programs
Increase
referrals
Increase public
awareness
about literacy
Kelowna Community Resources
(KCR) website development plan
Marketing Materials developed
with Touchpoint Marketing
Attempted a Facebook page / blog
Literacy Section on The Bridge
Youth & Family Services website
Created a COPFL Website (Fall
2015 – updated as needed)
2.a.ii. Monitor
distribution of
information and
resources
Number of events
attended
Amount of material
distributed
Updated KCR about website
Attend community events to
distribute resources
2.b. Enhance
community capacity to
communicate about
literacy
2.b.i. Train "leaders for
literacy" to answer
questions in the
community about what is
available and how to
make appropriate
referrals
Number of
leaders trained
Number of
referrals and
resource
guides
accessed
PALS Training
Literacy Forum (Fall 2010)
Literacy Forum (Fall 2013)
Information sharing at COPFL
meetings
Create and promote COPFL
website (Fall 2014)
2.b.ii. Communicate
Literacy Plan to City
Councils and MLA’s to
gain support for outlined
activities
Number of
presentations made
Type of support
received from City
Councils/MLA’s
Literacy Forum (Fall 2010)
Literacy Forum (Fall 2013)
Letters to MLA’s
Website development
Community presentations
Meetings with City Council/MLA’s
2.b.iii. Incorporate
literacy supports and
services into Community
Recreation Guides
Number of
recreation guides
with literacy
information
published
KCR website information added to
all directories
KCR website information updated
(January 2015)
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June 2015
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2.c. Educate the
public about literacy
2.c.i. Develop a Partners
for Literacy visual
identity.
PowerPoint
Presentation
Rack cards
Banner
Letter head / Logo
Created a Literacy PowerPoint
Presentation
Marketing Materials developed
with Touchpoint Marketing
2.c.ii. Provide education
opportunities that
explain the definition of
literacy, life-long
learning, and services
available
Greater public
understanding
about definition of
literacy
Increase utilizing of
available services
Literacy Forum (Fall 2013)
Attend Community Events
Community Presentations
COPFL website
Presentations at Parent Talk
Group (January 2015)
Unplug & Play – Family Literacy
Week Events (January 2015)
3. Increase Access to
Sustainable Literacy Supports
and Services
LAKE
COUNTRY
Increase access
to literacy
supports for early
childhood, youth,
and adult
learners
3.a. Support current
Parents As Literacy
Supports (PALS)
program
3.a.i. Seek partners &
volunteers to help plan
additional PALS nights
Number of
community PALS
nights and families
attending
Number of
participants
PALS Training (7 Sessions)
3.b. Support literacy
for teens
3.b.i. Research
successful teen literacy
programs in our
community
Summary of
findings on teen
literacy
programming
Summary of findings on teen
literacy programming
3.b.ii. Develop a teen
literacy program based
on above (3.b.i.)
Number of grant
applications
Number of partners
Grant applications submitted
Found committed partners
3.c. Increase access
to English as a
Second Language
(ESL) programs
3.c.i. Seek out funding
and partners to re-
initiate adult ESL
program
Number of grant
applications
Local ESL program
Development and implementation
of Conversation Club in Rutland by
Kelowna Immigrant Society
Promote /support ESL programs
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
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RUTLAND Increase access
to literacy
supports for early
childhood,
elementary age,
and adult
learners
3.d. Enhance parent
knowledge
3.d.i. Coordinate
evening drop-in family
sessions
Number of evening
sessions offered
Number of families
attending
Increase staff capacity through
PALS training
PALS Sessions 2011
PALS Sessions 2012
3.e. Increase access
to English as a
Second Language
(ESL) programs
3.e.i. Connect with local
temples and Kelowna
Immigrant Society to
explore opportunities for
ESL programs for adults
and children
Number of
committed cultural
and religious
partners/space
ESL programs
offered
Development and implementation
of Conversation Club in Rutland by
Kelowna Immigrant Society
Promote/support ESL programs
WEST
KELOWNA
Increase access
to literacy
supports through
community
awareness
3.f. Increase access to
local literacy supports
3.f.i. Incorporate literacy
supports and services
into Community Health
Fair
Number of people
attending health fair
Number of literacy
newsletters/guides
distributed
Attended health fair
Literacy newsletters/guides
distributed
WESTBANK
FIRST
NATION
Increase access
to literacy
supports and
materials
3.g. Support computer
access and training
3.g.i. Seek funding for
on-reserve computer
technical assistance and
instructors
Funding application
Computers and
training available
on-reserve
Funding received
Computer training available on-
reserve 2010/2011/2013
3.h. Support
availability of culturally
appropriate materials
3.h.i. Coordinate the oral
and written record of
Okanagan stories
Funding application
Culturally
appropriate
materials available
Funding applied for culturally
appropriate materials available
Revisit for priority for 2012
3.i. Increase
awareness of free
library cards for those
who live on reserve
3.i.i. Support library in
their awareness effort
Number of library
cards applied for by
on-reserve people
Library cards applied for by on-
reserve people
3.j. Increase access to
adult one-to-one tutors
3.j.i. Recruit and train
peer tutors
Number of adult
tutors available for
Westbank First
Nation
Adult tutors available for Westbank
First Nation
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
June 2015
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PEACHLAND
Increase access
to literacy
supports for
early, youth, and
adult learners
3.k. Support literacy
for teens
3.k.i. Connect with Boys
& Girls club youth
worker to incorporate
literacy activities
Integration of
literacy activities in
youth programming
Integration of literacy activities in
youth programming
3.l. Enhance parent
knowledge
3.l.i. Help find facilitators
for Parents of Primary
Students (POPS)
POPS program
offered
POPS program offered
3.l.ii Coordinate evening
drop-in family sessions
Number of evening
sessions offered
Number of families
attending
Increase staff capacity through
PALS training
PALS Sessions 2010/2011
PALS Sessions 2012
ENTIRE
CENTRAL
OKANANGAN
Increase access
to literacy
supports for early
childhood, youth,
and adult
learners
Remove barriers
for improving
literacy
Individualize
available literacy
supports and
materials to meet
the needs of all
learners
3.m. Address issues
surrounding
technology and
literacy
3.m.i. Develop / promote
workshops that teach
computer skills and
improve digital literacy
Number of
workshops offered
Number of
participants
Computer workshops
3.m.ii. Educate public
about screen time and
its impact on literacy and
overall health (especially
among children)
Number of
presentations
Distribution of info.
Response from
public
Community Presentations
Distribution of Screen time info.
Unplug & Play – Family Literacy
Week (January 2015)
3.n. Create a
community that is
more low-literacy
friendly
3.n.i. Facilitate Literacy
Audits for businesses
and organizations
Number of
workshops offered
Response to the
Literacy Audits
Plain Language workshop offered for Central Okanagan (May 2015)
Literacy Audit with Kelowna Child
Care Society (June 2015)
3.o. Provide more
opportunities for
individualized literacy
support
3.o.i. Increase number
of volunteers to help with
individualized needs
Number of
volunteers
Number of tutors
Recruit literacy volunteers and
tutors
Book Sale – Family Literacy Week
3.o.ii. Modify programs
to accommodate
individual needs
Number of
programs
Variety of programs
Educate public about programs
Attempt to accommodate
individualized circumstances
3.p. Increase funds
available to support
literacy programs
3.p.i. Organize
fundraising events
Number of events
Funds raised
Grants Secured
Community Literacy Fundraising
Events
Grant for Unplug & Play Week
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
June 2015
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PART 7 - SUCCESSES
Networking
Several new members participated in the COPFL committee this year.
Meghan Derkach was the new representative for Seniors Outreach & Resource Centre.
Michael Wendland joined from Metro UP Financial Asset & Literacy Foundation.
Rhonda Ovelson was the new representative from SD 23. She is replacing Clara Sulz.
Peter Boyd from Extra Foods / Your Independent Grocer & Vera Ito from Society for
Learning in Retirement requested being on the COPFL’s e-mail distribution list, so they
could be aware of the work of the committee. Peter is eager to be involved with book
sales that benefit the community.
The COPFL group worked collaboratively together to host several different events such
as the Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week, a Plain Language workshop & a Literacy
Audit. The COPFL developed a website that identifies the literacy service providers in the
Central Okanagan and provides a link to their organizations. It also showcases events that the COPFL are hosting. The website is www.partnersforliteracy.weebly.com.
Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week – January 25 – 31, 2015
First Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week in the Central Okanagan.
A week comprised of promoting opportunities for balancing technology use with time for
family, creative pursuits, recreation and connection to nature.
Events were held in every community from Lake Country to Peachland.
Approximately 2500 children and adults attended the events and more than fifty
community organizations, local government and businesses supported the week.
Literacy Audit – June 4, 2015
Held at Kelowna Childcare Society.
Attended by the Executive Director and several staff members.
Education about literacy in our community and what their organization can do to support
clients that may be struggling with low literacy.
Community Events
LOC and COPFL members attended several community events:
o Cultural Resiliency Training – September 2014
o Lake Country Interagency Meeting - September / November 2014 & March 2015
o Inn from the Cold Open House – September 2014
o Youth Mental Health Workshop – September 2014
o CATCH Network Gathering – October 2014 & February 2015
o Social Innovation Workshop – October 2014
o United Way “Seeing Is Believing” Bus Tour – October 2014
o Ages & Stages Questionnaires Training – November 2014
o CATCH National Child Luncheon – November 2014
o Collaborative Dialogue Session with SD 23 – December 2014 & March 2015
o Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week Events – January 2015
o The Art of Creating Opportunity Workshop – March 2015
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
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Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week
Enjoying a book during Family Literacy Week
UBCO Volunteers at the Book Sale
Fun at the Art Gallery during Unplug & Play Week
Book Sale – $1000 was raised!
Presentation of Book Sale Money to School District 23
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
June 2015
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PART 8 - CHALLENGES
Uncertainty about funding for literacy coordination and implementation continues to be our biggest
challenge. It is difficult to know which projects to initiate when the sustainability of projects is uncertain.
Without coordination money, it will be difficult for our COPFL group to continue and our District Literacy
Plan won’t have anyone overseeing it. Obviously, the instability in funding that occurs every year isn’t
an efficient use of Decoda or the LOC’s time in working to improve literacy in our community.
I also find the current structure of the LOC position in the Central Okanagan to be challenging. The
Partners for Literacy committee originally began as an advisory committee, but with the group not being
a direct service provider, and with implementation funding no longer available, it can be difficult to be
effective. This situation makes it difficult to keep committee members engaged. To help with this
challenge, I have focused on making our committee a project / event based group that works on specific
literacy projects. This shift has had success this year, but it is extremely challenging to know how to
move forward. Many of the committee members have great ideas, but often don’t have the capacity to
help out with the hands-on work of organizing events. I have to constantly evaluate whether our
committee had the capacity to successfully deliver on the ideas that are brought forward. There has
been feedback from the committee that in order to help make the LOC position more effective, it should
be aligned with an organization doing direct literacy work. Further explanation and discussion around
this idea should occur in the future.
The past year has made me realize that we need to continue to promote awareness about the definition
of literacy and the literacy services offered in the Central Okanagan. Tied closely to this is the need to
work on reducing the stigma attached to having literacy challenges. There is still a great need to
educate the community that literacy is a life-long issue and literacy challenges can impact anyone at any
age. We also need our community to appreciate how low literacy rates impact the Central Okanagan
and the province as a whole. Focusing on these challenges will help to improve literacy for everyone in
the Central Okanagan and build a community of life-long learners.
Central Okanagan District Literacy Plan Progress Report
June 2015
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PART 9 - MOVING FORWARD (2015/2016)
2014-2015 has been a positive year for the COPFL committee. At the beginning of the year we were
uncertain whether we would have funding to sustain us beyond eight months. Fortunately, additional
funding was provided and has allowed us to continue with our important work. Over the year we have
experienced growth in our committee and consequently, have strengthened the network between
literacy service providers in our community. The main focus of the Partners for Literacy has also
changed. This shift in focus helps to give direction and purpose to the committee and encourages the
committee to directly tackle the goals laid out in the District Literacy Plan.
There are several potential projects for future focus:
Continue to build collaboration and develop projects between committee member
organizations.
Continue to build literacy networks by increasing awareness about literacy and
engaging future literacy partners.
Work on removing barriers for improving literacy by attempting to host another Plain
Language workshop.
Educate the community about the growing issues surrounding digital literacy by
hosting a 2016 Unplug & Play – Family Literacy Week.
Continue to develop programs that would help to address the issues involving seniors
and digital literacy.
Continue to increase child and youth programming perhaps through reading programs
such as Come Read with Me and One to One.
Develop programs to promote inter-generational literacy initiatives for grandparents
caring for grandchildren.
Promote literacy audits in work settings throughout the Central Okanagan
Continue to increase and individualize available literacy resources and programs
Increase COPFL exposure with the media / social outlets
Some of these projects began this past year and will continue. Others have yet to be begin. There
obviously remains many literacy needs in our community and work that needs to be done to support
those needs. Even though there will be a change in the LOC for the upcoming year, I am confident that
the committee is dedicated to see many of these goals accomplished over the next year.